Kofi Adams met with Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang at the sports ministry
Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang discussed issues pertaining to sporting activities in the country during her official visit to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation on January 22, 2026.
Sports minister Kofi Adams briefed her on the achievements and reforms undertaken since President John Dramani Mahama assumed office in 2025.
Check out the key takeaways below:
Black Stars budget review saved Ghana about $700,000 – Kofi Adams
Ghana Premier League Broadcast
Kofi Adams noted that government’s support in securing a broadcast partner for the Ghana Premier League (GPL) has enhanced patronage.
“For Premiership and league investment, together with the Ghana Football Association, government led a process to secure a good arrangement that grants broadcast rights. A number of our league matches are now shown live, and this has improved patronage,” he said.
Ghana Premier League Funding
The minister highlighted how government facilitated funding support for the league:
“We have put a system in place where Premiership clubs receive GH¢1 million in advance before the start of the league. In the past, the ultimate winner received GH¢500,000. Today, before the league begins, every club receives GH¢1 million, and the winner will earn GH¢2 million. Many other clubs will also benefit from prize money. We believe this is a huge improvement.”
Settlement of Black Stars Coaches’ Debt
The Member of Parliament for Buem constituency commended the government for clearing debts owed to past coaches of the national team.
“With your support, we have been able to clear debts owed to coaches dating back to 2022. These steps have injected confidence that government can be trusted. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of what we inherited in 2016, when some bonuses were outstanding.
“The government that took over from John Mahama’s administration refused to pay these bonuses, claiming the qualification happened under a different administration. We did not do that. We cleared debts that were hidden and unpaid before we came into government, over a million,” he noted.
National Sports Fund
On the National Sports Fund, the minister remarked:
“The cabinet gave approval, Parliament passed the bill, and His Excellency the President has since assented to it. We now have Act 1159, which establishes the fund to mobilize resources for national sports infrastructure upgrades, grassroots and school sports development, elite athlete preparation, and technical, medical, and welfare support systems.”
Black Stars Budget Review
Kofi Adams revealed the amount the nation has saved from cutting the national team’s budget:
“In the past, the ministry used to spend almost GH¢2 million, but with this rationalization, we are spending GH¢1.3 million for two outings of the senior national team. All these measures have gone a long way to build confidence. The players did not suffer, the technical team did not suffer,” he told the media.
Prof Jane Naana’s Response to Funding Delay
Regarding delays in the release of funds for the ministry, the vice president promised to work with stakeholders to expedite disbursement:
“Your concerns about fund release, I hear you. As the Chief of Staff said, we are collating these issues and know where to direct them. Everybody is talking about that particular item. We are also watching some of the commonalities as we visit ministries to see what the overall image is and what should be done,” she said.
SB/JE
Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians celebrate Senegal’s AFCON triumph
